Average anterior mantle length for jig caught squid 15-35 cmweight range 100 gms-1200 gms; maximum size 1800 gms
Mature females grow 3-4 cms longer and 200-300 gms heavier than males. Two closely related species occur around New Zealand and similar species are found around south east Australia, Fiji, Philippines, and South Africa. Nototodarus sloanii occurs off the east coast of the South Island and the Southem Plateau, N. gouldi is found in warmer waters off the west coast of New Zealand and east coast of the North Island.
Both species found at depths of 50 m to 300m; more abundant at edge of continental shelf, 150-200 m, but are frequently found close to shore. Caught by jigging and trawling. Main season December-May. Very large resource, one of New Zealand’s largest, and probably capable of yielding 80,000-100,000 tonnes, but subject to considerable annual variation.
